Thanks for visiting. I'm an Addy Award-winning veteran copywriter in Chicago. I have more than a decade of advertising and marketing experience, from toiling in the trenches to directing from the top. I've learned my craft the hard way, because it's the only way. Good creative has no easy shortcuts.
Here's a bit of background on me, who I am, where I've been and what I've been up to. You're also welcome to visit my LinkedIn page or download a PDF resume.
Skill Set:
All forms of advertising and marketing, including interactive, print, long- and short-form collateral, broadcast, viral video and point-of-sale for both B2B and consumer audiences. Also experienced in technical, marcom and PR writing.
Education:
University of Iowa, Iowa City, 1991. B.A., English Literature and Writing. Honors in English and Latin.
Career History and Highlights:
Cisneros Communications, Chicago, IL, July 2010 – present
VP, Creative Director
Assist this excitingly fresh boutique agency’s internal communications by adding marketing, advertising and general external creative depth. Develop effective messaging strategies and follow through with tactical executions that meet and exceed client expectations, building the agency by helping its clients build their businesses.
UMarketing, Lombard, IL, February 2008 – December 2010
Senior Copy Supervisor
Directed all copy and concept responsibilities in a growing creative department spanning four cities during a period of new business acquisition. Sole writer for the team that produced over a dozen successive control-busting DM packages in nine months for a single client.
LM Squared, Northbrook, IL, July 2006 - September 2007
ACD Copywriter
Assumed leadership role as top agency writer, reporting to creative partner for exclusive North Shore advertising boutique. Spearheaded successful brand renovation of the Lettuce Entertain You loyalty rewards program and successive iterations.
New Control, Chicago, IL, March 2005 - July 2006
Senior Copywriter
Provided lead copy and creative direction for two creative teams working on top-tier direct marketing initiatives. Led multiple ground-up branding campaigns that helped grow the agency's clientele.
Discover Financial Services, Riverwoods, IL January 2004 - March 2005
Copywriter
Served as a key player of in-house creative team, delivering in multiple channels for all internal clients. Led key corporate communications efforts including the pitch that won our first third-party card issuing partner (Walmart) and launched the Discover Network, a critical merchant-facing asset.
Clarke Advertising, Sarasota, FL, March 2002 - December 2003
Copywriter
Led a wide variety of accounts ranging from restaurants to pleasure craft to home building products. Won national Silver Addy Award for Tervis.com, as well as numerous local and district Addy Awards in other categories.
DDB Worldwide, Chicago, IL February 1998 - March 2002
Client Communications
Assumed virtually unsupervised AE-level account position for recently-won McDonald's Corporation business. Built and maintained the first online catalog of TV and radio creative for the nationwide advertising network.
